In a patient with T10 paraplegia who was injured six weeks ago, what is the MOST likely scenario at the conclusion of rehabilitation?

• A. Daily assistance from a home health aide
• B. Utilize a wheelchair for functional mobility
• C. Utilize orthotics and a walker for ambulation
• D. Be unable to safely return to his home

Answer: (B)

With a thoracic-level spinal cord injury causing paraplegia, the person typically retains upper-extremity function and gains independence through wheeled mobility rather than ambulating with braces. Six weeks into rehabilitation, the energy cost, safety concerns, and the level of trunk and leg control required to ambulate with orthotics and a walker are usually not met by a T10 injury. A wheelchair provides efficient, safer, and more feasible mobility for daily activities and community use, making it the most likely outcome at discharge from rehab. While some individuals may need varying amounts of support at home, the common goal and outcome for this level of injury is functional mobility primarily via a wheelchair rather than walking with devices.